Albany State University Social Work Degree Offerings
Albany State University appears in our ranking of the 36 Most Affordable Accredited MSW Programs in the South East.
The Department of Social Work at Albany State University (ASU) offers a Bachelor of Social Work degree and a Master of Social Work degree. The mission of the department is to prepare students to improve the lives and communities of residents of Southwest Georgia and throughout the country. Economic, social, and environmental justice are all components of the program, and experienced faculty brings expertise in fields like international social work, chemical dependency, foster care, social policy development, and health disparities. Both programs meet the rigorous accreditation standards of the Council on Social Work Education.
The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree at ASU is a four-year, liberal arts degree that is oriented towards the future of social work and the ways that the internet and technology are shaping access to care. Alumni of the program have participated in social work organizations located in Georgia, throughout the United States, and internationally. The BSW program has a generalist curriculum that offers students a broad base of knowledge and allows them to seek further specialization through continuing education. The cornerstone of the program is a robust fieldwork component that creates valuable opportunities for students to learn by working with social work professionals in government and non-profit organizations. This degree program may be completed completely on-campus or through a hybrid online and on-campus learning model.
ASU's Master of Social Work (MSW) program is designed to equip graduates with the skills necessary to provide services for individuals and families in a clinical setting. Students may also opt to complete additional coursework to be eligible to sit for the Licensed Clinical Social Worker exam in the state of Georgia. The MSW degree may be completed full-time in two years. Eligible students may complete the degree in less time through the Advanced Standing Program. Part-time students may choose from a three- or four-year course of study that allows them to earn the MSW while attending to other work or family obligations.
About Albany State University
Albany State University is a public, historically black university in Albany, Georgia. It is one of three historically black universities within the University System of Georgia and boasts the distinction of being the largest of the three. It has an enrollment of 6,615 students, and the university's urban campus covers 231 acres. Students have many opportunities to participate in a thriving on-campus culture that includes student-led organizations and ASU's sports teams, the Golden Rams.
Founded in 1903 by Joseph Winthrop Holley, ASU was originally known as the Albany Bible and Manual Training Institute. Instruction took place on a 50-acre plot of land, and the first students of the university were trained as elementary educators for the region's black communities. In 1917, the institution gained state support and status as an agricultural college. ASU became part of the University System of Georgia in 1917 and became a university in 1996. Historically, the university is known for its prominent role in the Civil Rights Movement.
Albany State University Accreditation Details
Albany State University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). SACSCOC is recognized by the US Department of Education as a regional accrediting body. ASU was accredited in 2016 and is scheduled for its next reaffirmation in 2020.
The undergraduate and graduate social work degrees offered at ASU are accredited by the Council on Social Work Education (CSWE). Graduation from a CSWE accredited program is a prerequisite for admissions into many master's and doctoral level social work degrees.
Albany State University Application Requirements
Undergraduate applicants to ASU must submit official high school transcripts from all institutions attended. Candidates must have a 2.0 high school GPA to be considered for admission. Applicants must complete the SAT or ACT and have scores sent to the ASU Department of Admissions. Minimum SAT Critical Reading and Mathematics scores are 430 and 400 respectively. Minimum ACT scores are 17 for English and 17 for Math. Students must have completed academic prerequisites before beginning coursework at ASU. These prerequisites include 4 units of English, 4 units of mathematics, 4 units of natural science, 3 units of social science, and 2 units of foreign language. Students who do not meet the minimum testing and GPA requirements may still be admitted to the university and will be supported through additional coursework to ensure their academic success.
Social work graduate applicants must complete an online graduate application and pay a $25 application fee. Candidates must have completed a social work bachelor's degree from a CSWE accredited undergraduate college or university, and official transcripts of all undergraduate institutions attended must be submitted. Each year, there are three deadlines for submitting materials that are based on the start of the spring, summer, and fall semesters. Once a student has completed the requirements for general graduate admissions, they must submit documents to be considered for the social work degree program. These include a personal narrative, three recommendation forms, official MAT test scores, a current resume, and a social work application.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Residents of Georgia will pay $19,069 for each undergraduate year of study at ASU. This cost includes tuition, textbooks, school supplies, fees, room and board, and personal expenses. Out-of-state students will pay $29,530 per year.
Graduate tuition at ASU is $5,346 per year for residents of Georgia. Non-resident graduate tuition is $16,266 per year. Books and supplies, fees, and living expenses will likely cost between $10,000-$15,000 per year.
In addition to federal student aid, ASU offers several scholarship opportunities for students. These include foundation scholarships and DSCF scholarships. The scholarships are awarded based on factors such as academic performance, financial need, background, and community involvement. Students should contact the Office of Financial Aid for details about applying for these scholarships. ASU also offers on-campus employment to students who qualify for work-study.
For more information about any of these degrees, visit the Albany State University social work program page.